trip
NEW Trip – Ladakh Mountain Biking AdventureView Trip Details

10 Days$1890USD

Activities
  • 7 day walks
Accommodation
  • 9 nights hotel
Meals
  • 5 Lunches
  • 9 Breakfasts
3
Introductory

Traveller Rating

 

 
 

Trip highlights


  • The splendor of Cusco with its churches, cathedrals, plazas, markets and cultural heritage
  • Walking in the beautiful Sacred Valley to view ancient ruins and the famous Inca salt pans
  • Trek final section of Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
  • Visit Machu Picchu on two occasions and at the best times of day
  • Tourist train to Km104 and from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
  • After each day walk return to comfortable hotels for overnight accommodation

If you enjoy walking, but do not want to camp, then look no further than this unusual itinerary that offers seven different day walks in Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the 'mini' Inca Trail day walk to Machu Picchu. Home to glorious mountain ranges, enchanting villages, colourful Indian markets, a wealth of Inca ruins and impressive Spanish colonial architecture, this compact region of Peru offers fabulous exploration on foot. Our gentle walks are all optional and uncover the deepest secrets of the Sacred Valley. This is the definitive walking itinerary that goes to places few others visit and each night the added bonus of a comfortable hotel to return to. Our final walk takes us along the final section of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and a jaw dropping view of Machu Picchu.

Trip Code: SVT

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel located in the historic centre then you will have some time to explore the city and also enjoy a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation to the altitude. In the evening you will meet with your guide at 6pm at your hotel for an initial trip briefing. Overnight Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

Meals:  Nil

Today we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro's men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most famous monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The impressive ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua), an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings, squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, we return to our hotel. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and have a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open-air artisan markets and shops. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

Meals:  B

We drive to the Chinchero Plateau where we visit a famous tradtional weaving cooperative. After visiting the picturesque colonial church we will make our way down through the spectacular Inca terraces. Here we'll start a 3 hour downhill walk along a beautifully restored Inca highway to the Urquillos valley. After reaching the small town of Urquillos we drive along the Sacred Valley to Yucay where we spend the night. Overnight La Casona de Yucay Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 8 km, 3 hours, elevation 3760m

Meals:  B,L

After a leisurely breakfast we drive up to a hill high above the valley that affords superb views across to the snowpeaks of the Urubamba Range. From here we walk down through the extensive terraces and ruins of the Pisac Inca fortress and citadel. These ruins are a rare combination of residential, military and religious construction that offer some of the best examples of the stunning stonework for which the Incas were famed. After lunch in Pisac we continue to wander around the extensive crafts market before heading back to Yucay. Overnight La Casona de Yucay Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 6 km, 2.5 hours, max elevation 2972m

Meals:  B,L

Drive to Moray, where we'll experience brilliant views of many of the snow peaks and glaciers that surround this high plateau. We also explore the unusual amphithreatre-like circular terraced ruins which are believed to have been an Inca agricultural research station with different micro-climates at each terrace level. From here we head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing centre that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are thousands of salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Due to a change in regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk through the salt mine anymore to avoid contamination of the salt. We will go to a lookout point from where we have stunning views of the salt pools. From here we will walk for about 1 hour mainly downhill to Pichingoto where the salt miners live. Enjoy this rarely walked path and soak up the incredible setting of the Sacred Valley. Our car will be waiting for us in Pichingoto and we will be driven the short distance to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of this famous town. Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 12 km, 4 hours, max elevation 3500mx

Meals:  B

After breakfast we explore Ollantaytambo. It is the best pre-served Inca village in Peru with its traditional cobbled streets, trapezoidal doors and water canals. We also walk up to the Inca Citadel/Fortress which rests majestically above the village and which is second only in beauty to Machu Picchu. We then drive up the scenic Patacancha valley to the gorgeous hamlet of Marcacocha with its beautiful chapel. After this we walk up an ancient Inca trail to Pumamarca - a unique example of circular Inca and Pre-Inca buildings. From here we walk down past Inca terraces, still used for agriculture, and back into the village of Ollantaytambo. Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 14 km, 5 hours, max elevation 3800m

Meals:  B,L

From our hotel in the village, we walk across a bridge built on superb Inca foundations and then follow the left bank of the Urubamba river before starting to ascend to the Inca quarries of Cachicata perched high on a hillside littered with massive chiselled rocks and small burial towers. From here there are spectacular views of the classic snowpeak of Veronica (5590 m). After exploring the quarries we descend to the village of Cachicata near the river below before making our way back to Ollantaytambo for our last overnight in the village. Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 10 km, 7 hours, max elevation 3898m

Meals:  B,L

Today begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel, taking you to the train station where you'll embark on a journey to KM 104 the start of our trek. Upon crossing the suspension bridge over the Urubamba River, we visit the archaeological gem of Chachabamba (2,150m). The trail then ascends, going through 8km of lush forested paths over approximately 4 hours, guiding us to the awe-inspiring site of Wiñayhuayna (2,700m). This remarkable complex showcases the ingenuity of Incan architecture, with its expansive agricultural terraces, sacred religious areas, and a well-preserved urban sector. After a box lunch we continue for about an hour towards 'Inti Punku' (the 'Sun Gate'), (2,730m). It is here that you'll be rewarded with your first breathtaking glimpse of Machu Picchu (2,430m). AS we head descend, we'll veer onto a side path leading to a bus journey to Aguas Calientes, where you'll check into your accommodation. Overnight El Mapi Hotel or similar. Walking Approx 12 km, 5 hours, elevation 2745m *Important: Peruvian authorities have implemented entry restrictions to protect Machu Picchu from the impact of its immense popularity. As of 1st July 2017 there are three time slots in which patrons can enter Machu Picchu for a maximum of four hours and must follow one of three predetermined routes. Admission is not allowed after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. These changes have been made to improve the visitor experience and in an effort to deal with overcrowding. World Expeditions endeavours to ensure you get the most of your Machu Picchu experience regardless of these restrictions. Walking Approx 12 km, 5 hours, max elevation 2745m

Meals:  B,L

This morning we get up early to savour the views and atmosphere of the mystical morning light over Machu Picchu. We will enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary. We return by bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at your own expense, there are many options to choose from) before we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. Overnight Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel or similar. NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night. OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the adventurous, you can purchase a permit for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (ask for costs) and forego the guided tour of Machu Picchu, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Both climbs are steep, slippery, and exposed with vertiginous drops. Huayna Picchu has narrow trails and reaches 2,963m, while Machu Picchu Mountain has a wider path and reaches 3,082m. The climbs are not guided and takes a minimum of 3 hours return. Before purchasing the non-refundable and non-transferable permit, passengers must sign a waiver form. There are limited Huayna Picchu permits available and they sell out quickly, so contact us as soon as possible if interested.

Meals:  B

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Cusco where our trip concludes.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • 9 breakfasts and 5 lunches
  • Airport transfers if arriving/departing on first or last day of the trip
  • Comfortable and central hotels, primarily Casa Andina Classic hotels
  • Expert bilingual walking guide
  • Group medical kit
  • Private internal transportation
  • Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed (including two entrances to Machu Picchu)

  • International flights and taxes
  • Internal flights
  • Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry costs, phone calls, etc
  • Excess baggage costs
  • Meals not stated in itinerary
  • Tips
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visas

Accommodation


Departure dates


Notes

Note:
Flights Lima/Cusco/Lima are not included
Note:
Christmas, New Year and Easter surcharge may apply.
1
This trip has been confirmed below our normal minimum group size. There may be a small surcharge to pay if you join this departure, which will be removed if minimum numbers are met. Please ask us for details regarding the additional cost

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Priceper person from

$1890USD

Your trip price includes:

  • Park Fees valued at USD$132
Options & Supplements*
  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain - additional permit costUSD$90
  • Single SupplementUSD$520
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Walk trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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